RBI Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme 2016-Series II Features

The Reserve Bank of India, in consultation with the Government of India, has decided to issue third tranche of Sovereign Gold Bonds. Applications for the bond will be accepted from March 8, 2016 to March 14, 2016. The Bonds will be issued on March 29, 2016. The Bonds will be sold through banks, Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL) and designated post offices. The borrowing through issuance of the Bond will form part of market borrowing programme of the Government of India.

It may be recalled that Honourable Finance Minister had announced in Union Budget 2015-16 about developing a financial asset, Sovereign Gold Bond, as an alternative to purchasing metal gold. Accordingly, two tranches of issuances have been undertaken during 2015-16, so far. The features of the Bond are given below:

Sl. No.

Item

Details

1.

Product name

Sovereign Gold Bond 2016 – Series II

2.

Issuance

To be issued by Reserve Bank India on behalf of the Government of India.

3.

Eligibility

The Bonds will be restricted for sale to resident Indian entities including individuals, HUFs, Trusts, Universities and Charitable Institutions.

4.

Denomination

The Bonds will be denominated in multiples of gram(s) of gold with a basic unit of 1 gram.

5.

Tenor

The tenor of the Bond will be for a period of 8 years with exit option from 5th year to be exercised on the interest payment dates.

The maximum amount subscribed by an entity will not be more than 500 grams per person per fiscal year (April-March). A self-declaration to this effect will be obtained.

8.

Joint holder

In case of joint holding, the investment limit of 500 grams will be applied to the first applicant only.

9.

Frequency

The Bonds will be issued in tranches. Each tranche will be kept open for a period to be notified. The issuance date will also be specified in the notification.

10.

Issue price

Price of Bond will be fixed in Indian Rupees on the basis of the previous week’s (Monday–Friday) simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity published by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd. (IBJA).

11.

Payment option

Payment for the Bonds will be through cash payment (upto a maximum of Rs. 20,000) or demand draft or cheque or electronic banking.

12.

Issuance form

Government of India Stock under GS Act, 2006. The investors will be issued a Holding Certificate. The Bonds are eligible for conversion into demat form.

13.

Redemption price

The redemption price will be in Indian Rupees based on previous week’s (Monday-Friday) simple average of closing price of gold of 999 purity published by IBJA.

14.

Sales channel

Bonds will be sold through banks, SCHIL and designated Post Offices, as may be notified, either directly or through agents.

15.

Interest rate

The investors will be compensated at a fixed rate of 2.75 per cent per annum payable semi-annually on the initial value of investment.

16.

Collateral

Bonds can be used as collateral for loans. The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is to be set equal to ordinary gold loan mandated by the Reserve Bank from time to time.

17.

KYC Documentation

Know-your-customer (KYC) norms will be the same as that for purchase of physical gold. KYC documents such as Voter ID, Aadhaar card/PAN or TAN /Passport will be required.

18.

Tax treatment

The interest on Gold Bonds shall be taxable as per the provision of Income Tax Act, 1961 (43 of 1961) and the capital gains tax shall also remain same as in the case of physical gold.

19.

Tradability

Bonds will be tradable on exchanges/NDS-OM from a date to be notified by RBI.

20.

SLR eligibility

The Bonds will be eligible for Statutory Liquidity Ratio purposes.

21.

Commission

Commission for distribution of the bond shall be paid at the rate of 1% of the subscription amount.